2012 Participating Groups
 | | Blueprint
Hailing from Boston, Blueprint is an electrifying vocal band bringing a fresh, young energy to the stage. With their powerhouse solos and compelling harmonies, not to mention atomic dance skills and a guy named "Beast," you're guaranteed to write home about these captivating performers. They'll catch your attention from beat one with their carefree attitude and a repertoire that includes...every song they sing. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and, if they're lucky, you'll want to buy the t-shirtMembers: Jeff Eames, Gary Gustavsen, Dustin Hyatt, Mark Joseph, Caleb Whelden, Alfredo Austin III
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Connotations
The Connotations have been singing together in and around Northampton since 2008. Though original members have moved on and new members join to fill our harmonies, we have always stood by our one and only creed: Singing while having fun with friends makes the harmonies that much sweeter. The Connotations have had the honor of singing at multiple benefits, town fairs, hospitals, and festivals in Western Mass. A usual performance could include motown, pop, spirituals, and anything in between...but it will always include our desire to let people in on our secret: the only reason we have day jobs is because no one has signed us yet. Members: Allison Smartt, Cristos Lianides-Chin, Janra Roberts, Megan Morrow, Rae Griffiths, Wryan Butler, Justin Green, Annie Sullivan-Chin
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 | | East Coast Acappella
East Coast Acappella, a performance oriented vocal group for all occasions, brings to their audience a unique blend of 5 part harmonies, presenting only the best in 50s, 60s Doo Wop Rock & Roll and beyond - including some of your favorite songs from the 70's, 80's, 90's. The group tailors itself to each individual performance, whether it be a concert, wedding, corporate function, charitable event, or dinner theatre. Together, these five talented personalities bring to each audience an entertainment experience you are sure to remember. They have performed at venues ranging from Mohegan Sun, Cape Cod Melody Tent, Bayside Expo Center, Faneuil Hall, Marquis Theatre, Plymouth Memorial Hall, and the Plymouth Thanksgiving Day Parade.Members: Ed Barker, Jack Pearson, Tom White, Mike Kelble, Rick Walsh
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Foreign Exchange
Foreign Exchange is a female foursome made up of members from 3 different countries, brought together by the power of music. We formed in 2009 and have loved making music together ever since. We are officially a barbershop quartet, but we sing everything from jazz to disco to broadway classics. Over the last year we have been quite busy, traveling throughout the Northeast and performing for various groups. The cherry on top was when we became the Harmony, Inc. International Quartet Champion of 2011 in November. In March we began the process of recording our first CD which will drop in the fall. Check out our website or facebook page to find out more and to see if we'll be performing near you!Members: Morgan La Croix, Maria Gabriella, Nanda Landers, Amanda Holloway
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 | | Musae
Meet Hannah, Angela, Courtney, Jo, and Mel - together they are Musae; America's top Female Vocal Band. Since 2011, members of Musae have made television appearances on NBC's The Sing-Off, MTV's MADE, and ICCA Finals. Musae has headlined some of the most prominent music festivals both in the U.S. and abroad. Members have also written, engineered and produced chart topping tracks for artists around the globe. Alongside their world-class performances, they seek to reach out to and educate young artists and performers through their inspiring, industry-leading workshops.Members: Angela Ugolini, Hannah Juliano, Courtney Godwin, Johanna Vinson, Kari Francis, Lauren Barreiro
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NoteAbles
NoteAbles is a group of teenagers from various high schools throughout Northeast Ohio, began singing together eight years ago and are still current members of the world-renowned mixed youth chorus, The Singing Angels, but have formed The NoteAbles to arrange and perform a capella music on their own. During their years with the Singing Angels, they have traveled nationally and internationally including tours of the Mediterranean, Scandanavia, Russia and China, and have performed before Pope Benedict XVI and President George Bush. The NoteAbles arrange and perform their music independently and are known for their smooth sounds and tight harmonies. |  | |
 | | Rainbows
The Rainbows is a group from Quebec City started in 2007, comprised of six professional signers. The six voices brought together forms en explosive sound full of rich harmonies. They take their inspiration from Jazz, Pop music and always surprise their public with original arrangements that come to life after several jam sessions. Why are they called ''The Rainbows''? We'll let you figure it out.Members: Julie Vandal, Hera Ménard, Marc-André Bean, Nicholas Grynzspan, Alexandre Hudon, Genevieve Paré
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Soulstice
Soulstice is Cheverus High School from Portland, Maine's award winning a cappella vocal jazz group. In just their second year of existence they have already won one Maine State championship in jazz choir and in March of this year, placed 2nd at the Berklee College of Music jazz festival. In January they were selected as one of the few high school groups to perform at the Jazz Education Network convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The group is directed by Chris Humphrey, formerly a member of the Boston-based vocal jazz group The Ritz. The group has performed at the Maine Red Claws (NBA D league team) and at The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH. They will record their first CD this spring. Members: Samantha SaVaun, Bobbiella Andoh, Jake Boyce, Christian Cilley, Nathan Caso, Erin Fitzpatrick
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 | | Threadbare
We are Threadbare, a voices only band. After a couple of years of life out in the "real world", we wanted to go back to our roots- we all sang together in college and built a special bond there. We have come together again with one purpose- to make music that will connect your head, your heart, and your soul.Members: Alli Brooks, Chad Robin, Chris Abramson, Christopher Diaz, Katie Schuman, Michele Truhe, Adam Whitman
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2012 Judges
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Jeffery Alderson
Jeffery Alderson was a founding member Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Simple Harmonic Motion in 1994, starting the tradition of Acappelafest at WPI for years to come. From 2001-2005 he wore multiple a cappella hats - signing bass for Integration By Parts, serving as president of the non-profit Vocal Band Aid, and organizing several concerts to benefit music education in local schools. Jeff held down the bass-section with Boston vocal band Overboard from 2007-2009, appearing with the group on the Boyz II Men/CBS Early Show A Cappella Quest competition and CARA-award winning Best Holiday Song, "We Three Kings." At present, Mr. Alderson sings baritone in the Boston-area Saengerfest Men's Chorus. |
Karen Rourke
Karen Rourke is a 1977 graduate of UMASS Lowell with a degree in Music Education and a concentration in voice. A highly respected chorus director and singing coach, she has been instructing individuals, quartets and choruses in vocal techniques for almost 40 years. She coaches Sweet Adelines International, Harmony Incorporated and Barbershop Harmony Society groups across the country. She also serves as an Education Faculty member for all three organizations and teaches a variety of music courses at many Regional, District and Internationally Sponsored educational events. Karen sings bass in the 2006 Harmony Incorporated International Championship quartet; Boston Accent. Karen lives in Tewksbury, MA with her husband Dave, also a singer, and Disney the cat. Her soon to be live (keep your fingers crossed) website, www.singingsingles.net., is a resources and relationship site for singers. |
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Christopher Scranton
Christopher Scranton sang with the nationally-known Beelzebubs during his time at Tufts University, which included the the award-winning "Infinity" album and the group's first network television appearance, on "The Late Show with David Letterman". He began performing a cappella in high school, as part of a group directed by one of the founders of the Vineyard Sound, and continues to support a cappella music to this day with his work as President of the Bubs Foundation. |
Brian O’Connell
At UMass/Lowell Brian directs the Chamber Singers, University Choir, and teaches Voice and Conducting. Brian teaches Secondary Choral Methods in the graduate program at The Boston Conservatory and for 12 years has been the director of the Sarteano Chamber Choral Conducting Workshop in Tuscany. He has been on the faculties of Berklee College, Tufts University, Boston University, New England Conservatory and Northeastern. In 2005 he was the first recipient of the Massachusetts ADCA Award for Choral Excellence.
Brian is an accomplished contemporary a cappella singer, having performed for many years with the Boston based professional group No Strings Attached. He also currently adjudicates both collegiate and professional a cappella competitions throughout New England. In 2010, Brian joined the panel of judges for choral performance, voice & conducting for the national competition, The American Prize. |
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Dan Washington
Dan Washington grew up in Newark, NJ and by the end of high school had attended vocal camp at Westminster Choir college, sang in a barbershop quartet and studied piano, organ, and saxophone. Continuing his education at Boston University, he performed with the both the university classical and gospel choruses. After school, Dan joined the Barbershop Harmony Society where he has been a member for 22 years. In that time, he has directed several choruses, served regularly as faculty at Harmony College Northeast and has sung in several quartets. Most notably, Dan was the baritone of the 5-time international quarterfinalist and New England Harmony Sweepstakes 2nd place group, Northeast Connection, who also appeared in the Oscar winning film “Good Will Hunting.” |
 
Complete list of 2012 participants
Interested
in
Performing?
We are always seeking groups who would like to participate
in our events.
Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between
3 and 12 members. We have a rule book which explains many of the
details of the event, which you can see by clicking here. All groups must audition in
order to compete. Generally this is done by sending a current tape
and photo, although live auditions are sometimes arranged. The
purpose of the audition is to make sure the group is appropriate for
the Festival and to help the Director determine the performance
order. If a group has competed previously, the audition process may
be waived.
How to enter
Please send music and photos to the
regional director :
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Dan Campagna (Boston)
has been a part of the a cappella community for over 10 years and is the co-founder and business manager of the Boston-based group, Fermata Town. Behind his leadership, Fermata Town has released two award-winning albums, performed at international festivals and appeared on network TV. In 2013, Fermata Town captured the Boston Harmony Sweepstakes championship before placing third overall at Nationals where they took home "Best Original Song" honors. He is a founding board member of the Contemporary A Cappella League and voluteer program manager for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA). An active member in the Boston a cappella community, Dan enjoys attending local shows and volunteering for Varsity Vocals during ICCA season.
Prior to Fermata Town, Dan sang collegiate a cappella at Emmanuel College in Encore!, the college’s first-ever coed group which later changed its name to In Good Company.
Outside of a cappella, Dan works fulltime at Emmanuel College as the Director of Athletic Communications. Dan is also an Assistant Coach to the University of Massachusetts Boston Women’s Soccer Team and an adjunct professor at Lasell College where he teaches a sports journalism course.
860-874-5191
FermataTown@gmail.com
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